Jonathan Maberry, March 2009, OrionWhen Joe Ledger – police detective, ex-army martial arts expert, and certified smartarse – is called upon to kill a terrorist suspect, he’s just a little shaken by the experience: after all, he’d already killed the same guy only a couple of days previously. And with that act, Joe finds himself drawn into a shadowy world of covert anti-terrorist operations, global jihads, flesh-eating zombies, and a laboratory-born pathogen that, if released, could destroy the world. And the clock is ticking...
The cover blurb for Patient Zero describes the book as a coming together of 24 and 28 Days Later, and that’s a fairly good thumbnail review. The plot is satisfyingly complex, with plenty of behind-the-scenes detail relating to covert operations, zombie ‘biology’, and fundamentalist culture, yet avoids getting too bogged down as the story charges along at an electrifying pace. The various protagonists and antagonists (a line which occasionally becomes blurred) are suitably motivated and interesting, if not always likeable. And Maberry’s zombies are terrifyingly credible, in addition to providing plenty of tension, frights, gore – and occasionally, some emotional soul-searching.
Patient Zero is a terrific action/horror novel that effortlessly and absolutely satisfies the requirements of both genres. It’s also – and I say this without making light of the fact – a truly post 9/11 zombie novel, and all the more terrifying for it.
With a major Australian publicity drive behind this novel, Patient Zero should be available this month from most bookshops across the country. As an aside, it would be nice to think that this will also lead to local suppliers picking up distribution of some of Maberry’s back-catalogue (as has recently happened with the books of David Wellington), such as the Pine Deep trilogy, which deserves a far bigger readership in this country. Fingers crossed!
8 comments:
Wow...thanks for that stunning review. I'm delighted that you liked PATIENT ZERO. I had a terrific time researching and writing that book.
I was thoroughly terrified by… I mean, I thoroughly enjoyed Patient Zero. This is the type of book you should save for when all of your appointments and obligations are negotiable, because you won’t be keeping them. Make sure your nightlight’s ready too, because if you don’t stay up all night to finish the book, you’ll need it. I highly recommend writing: ‘buy Patient Zero’ at the top of your to-do list.
I can't wait to read this book, even if I do it in the privacy of under my own bed. With all the lights on. And wishing zombies didn't like garlic.
WOW YIKES and HOLY SHIT! Patient Zero is honestly incredible! It was scary as hell, fast-paced, hilarious, VERY well-researched and VERY vivid! The best way to describe it would be 28 days later meets The Unit/24 meets Jonathan Maberry and it is every bit as intriguing as that sounds. I first heard of Maberry because of his Ghost Road Blues trilogy (it won a well-deserved Stoker Award) and since reading that, I've been following his career and releases. I cannot stress this enough, GET THIS BOOK and get ready to be BLOWN AWAY...Maberry aims for the head...
As a fan of Maberry's Ghost Road Blues trilogy, I for one can't wait to read about the exploits of Joe Ledger and company! BRING IT ON!
An awesome book - I can't wait to read the next one - keep 'em coming.
-JB
PATIENT ZERO is an incredible novel. I read it cover to cover in one long plane flight to Japan and it kept me totally absorbed.
Loved the action sequences --outstanding and accurate use of martial arts and small-arms. Plus the characters came across as real people.
I'm just sad that the next book won't be out until NEXT YEAR!!!
Best Zombie book ever written.
-EE, Stratford Upon Avon, UK
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